Preston, WA – Crittenden Conversion Corporation, a Preston-based business, has admitted guilt to federal charges stemming from the illegal disposal of hazardous waste, according to court documents filed with the U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), culminated in a plea agreement and sentencing in May 1990.
The investigation began in August 1989, when authorities discovered twenty-one drums abandoned in a wooded area near Preston. Subsequent analysis revealed that three of these drums contained ignitable hazardous waste – materials posing a significant risk to both public health and the environment. Critically, these wastes were transported without the legally required hazardous waste manifests, documents detailing the type and quantity of waste being moved.
According to the EPA, the lack of proper manifesting constituted a direct violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Specifically, the corporation was charged with violating RCRA Section 3008(d)(5), codified as 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(5). This section of the law mandates that generators and transporters of hazardous waste maintain a cradle-to-grave tracking system, ensuring responsible handling and disposal.
On March 7, 1990, Crittenden Conversion Corporation waived indictment and entered into a plea agreement with the government. This agreement stipulated a $25,000 criminal fine. Furthermore, the company was ordered to provide $15,387.89 in restitution to the Washington State Department of Ecology to cover the costs associated with the initial response and assessment of the illegal dumping. An additional $2,330.36 was levied to cover the storage and disposal of the hazardous materials recovered from the site.
The formal information charging the corporation was filed on March 20, 1990, and the guilty plea was entered on the same day. The sentencing, handed down on May 3, 1990, finalized the penalties. Notably, the plea agreement also included a provision for the dismissal of a related civil case involving Crittenden Corp. that was already pending in the same court. This suggests the EPA sought a swift and comprehensive resolution to the matter.
The case highlights the importance of strict adherence to hazardous waste regulations and the potential consequences for companies who prioritize cost-cutting over environmental responsibility. The EPA continues to prioritize enforcement of RCRA to protect communities from the dangers of improper hazardous waste management.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Crittenden Conversion Corporation
- Location: Preston, Washington
- Year: 1990
- Crime: Illegal disposal of hazardous waste without manifests
- Statute Violated: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(5)
- Penalties: $25,000 fine, $15,387.89 restitution to Washington State Dept. of Ecology, $2,330.36 for storage/disposal costs, dismissal of related civil case
- Evidence: Twenty-one drums found in a wooded area, three containing ignitable hazardous waste.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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